A man living in Singapore as a Permanent Residence (PR) holder was fined by the Kulai Magistrate’s Court today for altering his car number plate in order to pump RON95 petrol.
The Star reported that 64-year-old Long Sa Kow was accused of displaying a car registration number that did not belong to his silver German-made car at a petrol station in Batu 21/4, Jalan Johor Baru-Air Hitam at about 10.30pm on Jan 2.
Scolded by judge for interrupting proceedings
During proceedings, Low asked for the charge to be read out to him in English as he didn’t understand Bahasa Malaysia or Mandarin.
He then entered a guilty plea before Magistrate R. Salini.
As facts of the case were being read out by the court interpreter read out the, Long began questioning the details, prompting the judge to tell him off twice:
Let the interpreter finish reading the facts first. Do not interrupt.”
When Long told the court that he disagreed with the facts, a 30-minute recess was called so that everything could be explained to him in English.
Fined RM9,000
At the end of the recess, the court was told that Long had allegedly tampered with his car registration plate by hiding several letters so that he could pump RON95, which is reserved only for Malaysians.
Police later conducted investigations after a clip of his actions went viral and they discovered that the vehicle’s engine and chassis numbers were registered in Singapore.
The offence was framed under Section 108(3)(e) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a fine of between RM5,000 and RM20,000, or one to five years’ jail, or both.
Deputy public prosecutor S. Thiviya urged the court to mete out a sentence that would send a cautionary sentence to Long and the public.
“The court should also consider the accused’s intention in changing his car registration number to enjoy the rights and privileges meant for locals and Malaysian-registered vehicles.
“This should serve as a lesson to all, and a reminder not to tamper with their car registration number as they please for personal gain,” she said.
Long’s lawyer, Sharmaine Fairuz Mohd Zulkifli from the National Legal Aid Foundation, asked for a lower fine, saying that Long was a retiree with three kids and doesn’t have a fixed income.
Long was ordered to pay a RM9,000 fine in default of nine months’ jail, and he paid it on the spot.
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